Are Vista product keys 32 bit specific?

[d_b]

I currently have a fairly old PC with an Athlon64 running Vista in 32 bit mode. I am about to put together a new setup to replace it with Corei7 and 6GB RAM. This will need Vista to run in 64 bit mode to address all the memory.

The Vista DVD I have only has the 32 bit code on it. I can order a "media only" copy of Vista 64 but would like to know if my current product key will work or if I will need to order a new copy with a new key. I know that some versions of Vista come with 64 bit copies of the code on the same disk but don't know if some versions are limited to just 32 bit mode.

Thanks for any advice.

[Agent]

Retail copy = 32 and 64bit key
OEM = I thought it was only for one, but after a Google there seems to be people that disagree with this and have the key working fine on 32 and 64bit versions of the install.

If it's a OEM specific one though (like a Dell) it won't work for 64bit (and even if you do, its against the EULA in most cases)

[lodore]

Hello,
I brought my computer with 32bit vista and then later on wanted 64bit vista so they shipped me the 64bit media and i used the same key.
If the key is oem then it will be illegal to even install the 32bit version on your new hardware.

[Agent]

If it was with your PC, it's almost certain its OEM from the manufacturer.

If this is the case, you can not install it on another machine - it simply won't activate. OEM versions are locked to the machine it comes with. Sorry.

Edit - ack, sorry I thought you were the OP then

[d_b]

Retail copy = 32 and 64bit key
OEM = I thought it was only for one, but after a Google there seems to be people that disagree with this and have the key working fine on 32 and 64bit versions of the install.

Fantastic - I'll get a copy of the 64 bit DVD and keep my fingers crossed that the product key works.

If it's a OEM specific one though (like a Dell) it won't work for 64bit (and even if you do, its against the EULA in most cases)

It's one of the copies of Vista that Microsoft gave away at the launch - I assume it's the retail version (Microsoft had a web site competition on the day of Vista's launch and the first 1000 or so people to answer a couple of questions correctly got a copy of Vista Ultimate).

[Agent]

Oh nice - Hopefully it'll be a retail one buddy

All non manufacturer (like Dell again) media is the same - so there is no difference between an ultimate disk and a home for example.
If you have a friend with a disk, borrow it and give it a shot

[Ferral]

My key works on Vista 32 bit and 64 bit. Have the retail boxed version, the keys are specific to the version you purchased. So if its 32 bit ultimate you will get 64 bit ultimate from the same key, provided its retail, same goes for Home premium and basic.

[rkingb]

I've just bought a copy of Vista 64 bit for a customer - higher price than 32 bit. So I can't see that the same product key would work on both versions. Please post if you are successful.

[d_b]

I've just bought a copy of Vista 64 bit for a customer - higher price than 32 bit. So I can't see that the same product key would work on both versions. Please post if you are successful.

I'll borrow a 64-bit disk from a friend and try with my product key. I'll let you know if it works OK.

[TAKTAK]

A key will work fine on both sets of media, the key just defines which setup to install from the disc (i.e. home premium, ultimate etc)

So for x64 you need a x64 media
For x86 you need x86 media, that is all there is to it

Also, as you pay for the key, you are entitled to borrow a copy of the x64 media to install it...


It is much like the Win7 keys when they came out, they were listed as x64 and x86, but could be used on either

[lodore]

I've just bought a copy of Vista 64 bit for a customer - higher price than 32 bit. So I can't see that the same product key would work on both versions. Please post if you are successful.

when i purchased my pc the 64bit version was £10 more expensive so i brought the 32bit version and later on i asked for the 64bit version and they just sent me the media and the same key worked.

[Sputnik]

I know 'Medion' say you can use either 32 or 64 bit on their machines, with the supplied key.

I thought the Ultimate retail version came with both the 32 and 64 bit disks ?

[Koolpc]

If it was with your PC, it's almost certain its OEM from the manufacturer.

If this is the case, you can not install it on another machine - it simply won't activate. OEM versions are locked to the machine it comes with. Sorry.

Edit - ack, sorry I thought you were the OP then

Not quite the case as my mate had a Dell PC and he used the OEM serial number from it on a different PC he built. Activated fine too!

My brother has also used the serial number from a defunct HP machine on a new build. Activated no problem. People will say that is naughty but it worked. Microsoft activated it for him so who cares!

[Agent]

Not quite the case as my mate had a Dell PC and he used the OEM serial number from it on a different PC he built. Activated fine too!

My brother has also used the serial number from a defunct HP machine on a new build. Activated no problem. People will say that is naughty but it worked. Microsoft activated it for him so who cares!

Even if it does activate, it's irrelevant.

Due to being OEM they have broken the terms of the EULA.

[Koolpc]

Even if it does activate, it's irrelevant.

Due to being OEM they have broken the terms of the EULA.

EULA. Who is worried about that at the end of the day? As long as it is activated the majority of people won't care!! Never heard of anyone going to court over breaking the terms of the EULA!

At the end of the day, Microsoft are only concerned about the people who 'Pirate' thier software, not joe bloggs in the street who phones up to get re-activated.

If they activate it then that is fine.

My mates Son-In-Law works for Microsoft in the USA and he said the same thing. Microsoft are happy as long as the product is bought. It is the big pirate people they are after!

[Agent]

EULA. Who is worried about that at the end of the day? As long as it is activated the majority of people won't care!!

And how does people caring have anything to do with how enforceable the EULA is?
If you don't want to abide by the terms of the EULA, the solution is simple - Don't use the software.

It's not what people "care" about.
If you're not running the software by the terms of the EULA, you might as well have just downloaded and cracked it in most cases.

Never heard of anyone going to court over breaking the terms of the EULA!

Never heard of the BSA then? An entire organisation dedicated to catching things like this. Granted, they won't probably bother with none business type, but plenty of people have been taken to court over EULA breaches.
Just because you've not heard of it doesn't make it true.

What about the 1000's of home users who have been taken to court and fined for downloading over P2P? They were breaking the EULA by not paying for the software.

At the end of the day, Microsoft are only concerned about the people who 'Pirate' thier software, not joe bloggs in the street who phones up to get re-activated.

Reactivating against the EULA is piracy.

If they activate it then that is fine.

That depends what you tell them. Did you ring them up and tell them you wanted it activating on a new machine which the EULA strictly doesn't cover?

My mates Son-In-Law works for Microsoft in the USA and he said the same thing. Microsoft are happy as long as the product is bought. It is the big pirate people they are after!

And I work with people from Microsoft most months directly and would disagree with you

A new machine with Windows gets a huge discount that is paid for the software. Part of that discount takes into account that you can only use it on that machine.

If you want to use it on others, buy the correct software for the job.